I Went Shoe Shopping!

I went shoe shopping today.

OH MY WORD!

There are no shoes in the entire city of Seoul that FIT ME! Most of the time, the women's shoes are too small and the men's shoes are too big. I'm right in the middle; stuck in shoe purgatory!

Also, most of the women's shoes have heels on them. Even tennis shoes. I really should have taken some pictures of them because... seriously... the tennis shoes have heels! I can't tell you how many times my co-workers and my adult students have commented on my height. I'm so tall and being tall is very "attractive" and a good thing here. I just feel like a giant; the last thing I want are heels!

Besides, I fall down on a fairly regular basis without wearing heels! I can't imagine what would happen if I started to wear heels... I'd have to wear body armour.

Every time I walk outside, I feel like I'm going to die... it's SO cold here! I really shouldn't complain, it's probably colder in the U.S. But I think I'm outside a lot more often here than I am at home.

Today, after lunch I hopped on the bus to go home, and it was just so warm and comfy on the bus, I decided to stay on past my stop. NO, I DID NOT FALL ASLEEP ON THE BUS!! I was just merely enjoying the warm and quiet atmosphere.

I ended up going to Myeong-dong to look for shoes... and didn't find any.

So, I continued on my way to Dongdaemun Stadium to look some more. I had the funnest time with this woman who was bound and determined to sell me a pair of shoes -- any shoes. I actually liked a pair that she had, but she was asking 50$ for them.

Here's how the conversation went, and keep in mind, most of it was in Korean... but somehow we were both able to make ourselves understood!

"58,000$ but no! Discount! 50,000$!!" She punches the numbers into a calculator and shoves the calculator at me.
"Hmm. What about those?" I point to another pair of shoes.
"Same, same! You think good price? What price you think?" She jabs at the calculator in my hands.
"Umm... 40,000$"
"Oh no, no.... 45,000$ Maybe, how 45,000$?" She snatched the calculator back and punched in the price again.
"Hmm. I don't know. There a little big. BIG? Do you have smaller ones?"
"Smaller, no! Bigger, yes! Bigger?"
"No. What about these?"
"Same, same!"

I continued to complain and wander around. She follows me all around suggesting different shoes and the moment I drift away from her area, she yells and points and another pair of shoes that she thinks I'll like. She was suggesting so many and being so pushy, I decided to be pushy right back. She would hold up a shoe and I would just shove it away. She thought that was hilarious! She kept cajoling and "helping" me, I got such a kick out of her!

Finally, I decided on a pair that I wanted (even though I thought they were a little too big) and she asked me what price I would pay.

"40,000$"
"Ahhhh! You aleoifaefa aoeif adfo ae wa;df wer aoheoahf* Ohh hahahaha! Ok!" And she bagged them up and gave them to me!

Fun.

Then I went to ANOTHER part of town and bought some books... of course!

By the time I got home, I was frozen solid and I nearly fell asleep at 8 p.m. I wish I would have. It's like I missed my window, because it's now 12:37 a.m. and I'm not tired at all!

SIGH!

Prayer for wisdom and guidance would be much appreciated! I LOVE you!

Hil

*Note: this is my way of writing in Korean! Basically she just spoke a bunch of Korean that I took to mean, "You're a clever little booger, but I like you and you've got me, so Ok. 40,000!"

New Person

Against my better judgement, I just had a bagel with cheese on it! It was so good, but now my stomach hurts! I just know that when I come back to the States my body is going to FREAK OUT!

I've decided that I am turning into a person that I don't think many people will readily recognize when I come back to the U.S. For one, my hair is so long right now and I plan to just continue to let it grow and grow until I get back. Also, I have glasses. I really think they change the way I look. People here had a hard time recognizing me with my glasses on, I can't imagine what it's going to be like back home!

I'm all skinny now too! Ok, not really skinny, but I have slimmed down a LOT!

So, as my co-teacher said, I'm "re disguising" myself. I don't think I'm trying to disguise myself, or even re-disguise myself (I was never trying to disguise myself in the first place), but I do think I'm turning into a different person. And, I think that's good. I'd hate to be stuck my whole life as the same old person I've always been! How boring! And, how unproductive. But don't worry, so much of me is, in fact, the same ol' Hilary that so many of you have known for so long! I'm still a big dork! That certainly hasn't changed in the slightest!

I just bought a new coat. I like it a lot, but it was kind of expensive. I nearly didn't buy it because of the price, but the more I thought about it, the more I decided it would really be a good coat to have. And, the price, though expensive, was reasonable considering the quality of the coat. I'm finding it SO hard to leave behind the college mentality of "if it's free then it fits" and actually spend money. I'm not a pauper anymore; I forget sometimes!

But, it really is a little unnerving learning how to make big purchases... a new computer, a camera, a coat, a trip to Hong Kong (you thought I'd make them all start with "c" didn't you??? I'm still rockin' the alliteration though! GO, ENGLISH TEACHER, GO!!!))!!! I feel like I'm doing something wrong or bad by spending all this money! I might get in trouble... but, no.... wait... IT'S MY MONEY!??!?!?! It really is ok to spend it, I need to lose the college clothes and become an adult.

I'm just so attached to all of my old crappy T-shirts though. I don't have to throw them away now that I'm a big girl, do I?

*Sigh* Again, re-disguising myself!

A bunch of my friends and I ate at this cute little restaurant on Saturday. I call it, "The Side Dish Place" because the meal consists of a bunch of... side dishes. I'm amazed at my eloquence.

But, I'm becoming concerned that something is seriously wrong with me. On Saturday, I didn't eat breakfast and so by the time I got to "The Side Dish Place" I was starving! We ate almost everything they served to us, and I think I ate more than most of the people there (they were all girls, so it might not be saying much) and after the meal, I was still hungry!! You see, when you eat at "The Side Dish Place" you have nothing but side dishes. Often times, here in Korea, the side dishes are just vegetables and really light food. We had an assortment of kimchi, fish, veggies, quail eggs, mushrooms, beans and... fish. Needless to say, I didn't touch the fish, but I had a little of everything else. What I'm trying to say is that the meal was pretty light.

After lunch, we went to a coffee shop and then out shopping (where I bought my coat) and we didn't have anything else to eat for the rest of the day. I don't know why, but when the time came to have dinner, I was hardly hungry at all. I ate a third of a sandwich and then I was stuffed! By the time I got home, I was still full and that was all I ate for the day.

I think my stomach is confused. Or maybe it's the rest of my body. I have slimmed down a lot since I've been here, but I'm still a big girl. I can't understand why I'm still so big if I eat like a starved chicken everyday!


Well, anyways... A big shout out to Neil and Marilyn Litzenberger, Adam and Laura Snyder, Nate and Jen Snyder, and Allison Easterhaus. I just got all of your letters! Thank you so much for sending them. It's like getting a little hug from home each time I see a new letter! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sending them! I feel so loved!

God is good all the time!
All the time, God is good!
Amen.

Hil

Clarification...

I would like to clarify a few points....

First, I got glasses because the eye doctor said I had a slight problem and even though I don't think I need them, I thought it would be smart to get a pair that was SOOOOOOO cheap for when I DO need them.

Also, I thought they looked cute on me!

And... as for the wonderful and gorgeous things that my mother makes for me... well, sometimes I'm forgetful. I SHOULD have brought my hat that my wonderfully thoughtful mother made for me to school.... but I forgot!

For now, I'd just like to emphasize how RIDICULOUS I looked in the hideous pink hat...

I look like an elf!

On a different note...

I was riding the bus home today and after a little while, a mom with three little kids got on. There were two boys who looked to be around 9 or 10 years old and one little kid who was strapped to mom's back. This little one had one earring in her left earlobe!

Now, all three of these children were playing with balloons. Even the little one. She was sucking and chewing on that balloon as if it could give her new teeth! And, she kept looking at me... what a cutie pie! I was making faces at her and she was wagging her fist and balloon at me!

Suddenly, I hear this big "PPPPSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH" sound and this balloon comes flying over, splattering spit all over my face, and lands on my lap! One of the boys had blown his balloon up to maximum capacity and then let it fly! It had zoomed all the way over to the other side of the bus and landed right on me!

DISGUSTING! I had this kids SPIT all over my FACE!!!

But, I calmly just picked the balloon off my lap and handed it back to the mom, trying not to laugh out loud at what had just happened! Oh, Korea! I love it here!

Anyway, I hope this clarified some things for people!

LOVE YOU!

Ok, so I got glasses!




Jess said that she thinks "They just make sense..." on me. I like them too, but I'm having a crisis! I don't feel like I REALLY need them. I don't feel like they make much of a difference on me at all...

So, do I wear them, do I not wear them...

Jess said she think I look funny without them on now! I took this as a big insult seeing as I've spent 23 years of my life NOT wearing glasses! SIGH! I can't win!


Also, I have wrinkles! REALLY!!!! I have wrinkles around my eyes! I was SO surprised when I saw them there yesterday!

Hilary's thought process: "WHAT? Where did THOSE come from??"
I feel like wearing my glasses has made wrinkles come out more on my face!
Hilary's next thought process: "I'M OLD!!!! ....YAY!!!"


Today, I went to Boramae park with my co-teacher and my students. We had a scavenger hunt for the students. My co-teacher and I went yesterday to scout out the park and make up the questions... we were there for quite a while! Unfortunately, today was the COLDEST day of winter yet! Not even kidding, it was SO COLD! All of my students wouldn't stop complaining about how cold it was and how their hands were going to fall off!

But, we still had fun! At one point, all of the boys, somehow, got a whole flock of pigeons to chase them down! It was hilarious! All these little boys running away from a bunch of pigeons.... I really want to know what they did to get all those pigeons to chase them... pigeons aren't normally violent birds!

My co-teacher insisted that I wear one of the two hats that she brought along. She brought one specifically for me... she said I could choose whichever one I wanted.... "Yay...".... NOT! They were both this hideous pink color and if you know me at all, you know that my favorite color is not pink! *Sigh*

What was I to do?? I chose the more ridiculous of the two and proudly wore it around all day today! I was actually really glad she brought it along for me because it WAS SO COLD! She's such a mom! I keep telling her that, but she doesn't stop! I think we both benefit... she likes having a "daughter" and I like having a "Korean mom!"

Here are some pictures of my boys at the park! I like the boy in the furry hood.... I thought he looked like a cute little koala bear today with his hood up!! My co-teacher is standing in the back looking on!




My co-teacher and I, freezing our tails off! Notice the lovely color hats we have on! I think my hat is especially... erm.... charming! It looked more like a purse than a hat... it was as long as my arm!!!



Oh, I'm having such a wonderful time here! I am so blessed to be surrounded by loving and caring people who have taken an interest in my life. I'm so excited to be here and I'm loving life, the people here and especially my God! Where and who would I be without HIM!

God is good, all the time...
All the time, God is good!

Amen!

Cramped Spaces... New Places

Riding home on the subway with Jess today was, as always, a hilarious experience. I mean, I've almost choked to death on juice in a subway with this woman; why should any other subway ride be a less exciting experience???

So, we're sitting together, and she has her coat on (I do too, it's cold outside) and she has a hood that has Velcro on it. Now, as many of you know, Velcro attracts hair. In Jess's patch of Velcro on her hood, she had a wad of hair. I thought this was gross (though understandable... I mean, her hair's right next to her hood... of course the Velcro is going to grab it and stick in there) so I pulled the hair wad out and threw it on the ground in the subway car.

Normal, right? I mean, no big deal... these people throw far worse on the ground ALL OVER THE CITY! I think littering is a hobby for many people. The city is super polluted and dirty. I think one of the greatest things this new president could do for his country is to have trash cans put on all the streets! There are NO trash cans in this city! So, people throw things on the ground! A small hair wad isn't a big deal!

But then, the door opens and this hair wad scurries across the ground looking like a tiny brown scorpion... and seriously, 4 Koreans are looking down at it trying to figure out what it is! I mean, they're really looking! They're leaning over and saying to each other "What the heck is that thing?" "Hey, check that out!" I'm surprised they didn't try to touch it... they were REALLY curious!

Now, I'm wondering "What's the big deal... it's a wad of hair!" But then Jess says, "It's brown. They all have black hair, they don't know what it is!" And it's true...

But also, Koreans have really really thick hair, and when if falls out, it doesn't clump together like western hair... it's so thick it just lays in individual strands. I'm not sure these people have ever seen a western hair wad before in their life! I seriously think they thought it was a tiny scorpion! And, the wind did make it scurry across the ground like it was a living thing...

Hilarious!

Ate at TGI Friday's tonight. After the meal was over, we all thought we were going to DIE! We haven't eaten western food like that since we were in the States and our tummies WERE NOT happy! The food here is so light and there are hardly any carbs... it's just different. So, an American meal just sits in our stomachs like a TON of bricks and our bodies revolted! We were all groaning and waddling around like we had the stomach flu afterwords! We're becoming so Korean!

Also helped Ruda move out of Trevor and Rachel's apartment and into his own! After renting a taxi van, all of Ruda's luggage and 5 people squashed in to help him move... I can say now that I became very well acquainted with Ruda's laundry basket (which was full of his boxers :() and Cathy!

And, you know, living in Korea has given me a whole new perspective on space! If you live in Korea, you have to be used to living in a small space.. or very closely to at least a few people. This country is TINY! It's about the size of Indiana and SOOOOOOOOO many people live here! Half the country lives in Seoul for goodness sake! So, I guess I'm getting more used to being in close quarters with other people... being squashed in the back of a taxi with a bunch of friends (and Ruda's boxers) is a lot more fun that being squashed in a subway car with a bunch of strangers!!! Though, watching as a bunch of strangers look on in fascination as a brown wad of hair scurries across the floor is quite amusing!

Well, that's all for now! I'm so blessed and I want to thank you all, again, for your prayers and continued encouragement. He works in powerful and wonderful ways! And, thank heavens that HE knows what is best for our lives! I am continually amazed at His works.

I love you all!

Hil

Christmas... ROUND 2!!!

What a great day! I spend the day with a friend, chatting, talking about books. She wants to learn more about poetry.... I'm in heaven (and such a nerd, I know, I know)!

Bible study, good times, as always!


And THEN...

I just got home and waiting for me were cards from Sam and Shelly, Elizabeth, Aunt Holly and Uncle Kevin, Aaron and Kelly, Ruth and John Bracht, and a package from Haley!!! (I also got a card from Meghan, but it was a few days ago... still, just so great!)


Wow! Thank you all SO much! I've hung all of the cards and pictures up on my fridge and am admiring how beautiful and grown up all of your kids are getting! I miss you all so much and I can't tell you how much your consideration and thoughtfulness means to me! Even though I'm all the way across the world, I have a little bit of home right here with me... thank you so much!


In other news, I've rearranged my apartment. It's a big deal because there is so little space in my box... I mean my apartment! It IS a big deal, OK!!


Here are some pictures.... Just thought it'd be fun to show you more of my life here!


So many Santa's... they were really nice, they gave me a whistle!



Christmas morning here in Seoul! What a great day!




Yeah... they REALLY like fish here! I like fish better when they walk around and take pictures with you rather than when you eat them... but that's just me!

I'm NOT a dumb person...but I have my moments.

I'm on break this week. There is no school, there is no work for me to do, there is nothing.... I'm bored!

So, today I decided to cleaned up my apartment a little bit. Take out the recyclables, take out the compost, clean up the dust.

I bagged up the recyclables, I tied up the compost, I piled everything up near the door to prepare for my trip down to the parking garage. Now, there are some things you should know about my apartment building. I live in a pretty modern building. It has an elevator, it has a ramp for handicap people, it has a sliding glass door that you need a card to swipe against this little reader plate thing in order to get into the building... it's pretty special.

Anyway, I decide that, because I'm just going down 6 flights and using the elevator, I don't need to put shoes on, and I don't need my key because I'll be right back... nothing will happen in the 5 minuets its going to take me to make this trip down to the parking garage. So I grab everything at once (about 7 bags total) and head out the door, barefoot and without my key or swipe card thingy.

No problem, I've got it all under control! I get down to the parking garage, push the button to open the sliding glass door, run out to dump the stuff where it needs to go... bounce around a little bit because my feet (which, remember, are bare) are FREEZING and then run back to the AUTOMATIC SLIDING glass door that you need a card to open!

I don't have my card on me... remember?

I don't know if I mentioned... I'm barefoot, remember?

The door automatically slides shut after a few moments...

You need a card to get into this building, and remember, mine is in my room. I've helped people out with this door before. I've opened it for a couple of people before who have forgotten their cards.... I remember on guys (a British man) had been waiting for over an hour before I came along... he had shoes on though...

So there I am. Barefoot, no card, no coat, no phone, just me and the cold, cold cement ground with a door that is almost all the way shut....

I won't tell you what I said; it wasn't pretty. But, I managed to stick my arm inside the building before the door closed all the way. The door shut on my arm, but then popped back open again. I will tell you that my heart was beating unusually fast the entire way back up to my apartment... where, there whole time, I reflected on how dumb of a move I had just made and how badly that could have turned out for me if I wasn't blessed with catlike reflexes (again, thank you God and Dad for passing along some good genes)!!!

I'd like to think I'm a person who has more common sense than that... perhaps I just had a dumb moment; we all have those moments, right...RIGHT???

Anyways, no making fun!

Peace out!